Proud American wins Vernon feature

Chris Lems logged three driving victories at Vernon Downs on Saturday night, including a 1:55.1 showing behind Proud American in the $9,000 Open Pace.

Sitting in for trainer Lonny Hale, Lems moved Proud American from third into the lead after a half in :58.4, and kept the 6-year-old sidewheeler in front to the finish, scoring by a head over the onrushing Four One One in the featured ninth race. He paid $12.60 to win.

It marked the first start of the season for Proud American, who earned his 16th career tally and increased his career winnings to $196,676 for owner Rocco Manzi. The Village Jove offspring secured his 1:52 lifetime mark over Vernon’s seven-eighths mile oval last year.

In joining Howard Okusko Jr. as the track’s only three-time winner after two racing nights, Lems also posted first-place finishes behind the pacers Delightful Dancer (1:56.1) in the first test and Hobby Art Benka (1:55.2) in the eighth event.

Proud American’s determined effort also provided twin triumphs for Hale and Manzi. Hale conditions Cape Crusade (1:55.4), who won Saturday’s sixth session, while Manzi holds the registration papers on Delightful Dancer, trained by Howard Okusko Sr.

Twin tallies were also tacked up by drivers Claude Huckabone Jr. (Bobby J and Cape Crusade) and Jimmy Whittemore (Outlaw Blues and Preacher Preacher), as well as trainer Bob Gruber III (Liebeck and Preacher Preacher).

The front-striding, 1:54 showing by Outlaw Blues in Saturday’s third race stands as the fastest mile of Vernon’s fledgling 56th season. Whittemore’s father, Dennis, owns the 6-year-old speedster. (Vernnn Downs)

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